Best Free to Play Nintendo Switch Games, Ranked

The Nintendo Switch offers a massive library of games that do not require an upfront purchase to download and enjoy. These titles range from competitive shooters and battle royales to relaxing puzzle experiences and massive role playing adventures. Many of these offerings support cross platform play and receive regular content updates to keep the player base engaged. This collection represents the top experiences available for the console based on their critical reception and longevity.

‘Deltarune Chapter 1 & 2’ (2018)

Players follow a human named Kris in a world where monsters live on the surface. After falling into a mysterious Dark World Kris and a classmate named Susie must restore balance to the universe. The gameplay features turn based combat where players can choose to spare enemies rather than defeating them. This title serves as a parallel story to the critically acclaimed ‘Undertale’ and features a unique soundtrack.

‘Sky: Children of the Light’ (2021)

This social adventure game invites players to explore a beautiful kingdom above the clouds. Users take on the role of Children of the Light who spread hope through a desolate land. The experience focuses on cooperation and non verbal communication with other players from around the world. There are seven unique realms to discover while uncovering the mystery of the falling stars.

‘Tetris 99’ (2019)

This game pits ninety nine players against one another in a massive battle royale competition. Players must clear lines of blocks while sending garbage rows to their opponents to knock them out. The match continues until only one player remains standing on the screen. Special themed events often introduce new backgrounds and music from other popular Nintendo franchises.

‘Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel’ (2022)

This digital card game provides a comprehensive platform for fans of the long running franchise to compete online. It features over ten thousand unique cards and follows the official Master Rules of the trading card game. Players can engage in single player campaigns to learn the history behind specific card archetypes. The game supports cross save functionality allowing users to maintain their progress across different platforms.

‘Apex Legends’ (2021)

This fast paced battle royale features a diverse cast of characters known as Legends who each possess unique abilities. Teams of three players drop onto large maps to scavenge for weapons and equipment while the playable area shrinks. Communication is streamlined through an innovative ping system that allows players to highlight items and enemies. The game emphasizes movement and tactical positioning to survive until the end of the match.

‘Rocket League’ (2020)

Players control rocket powered vehicles to hit a giant ball into the opposing team’s goal. This high energy sports game combines driving mechanics with soccer and features various competitive modes. Users can customize their cars with thousands of different items including decals and wheels and goal explosions. The physics based gameplay allows for advanced maneuvers like aerial hits and wall climbs.

‘Pinball FX3’ (2017)

This digital pinball simulator offers a wide variety of tables based on famous movies and comic books and original designs. It focuses on providing a realistic physics engine that mimics the feel of a physical pinball machine. Players can compete in organized tournaments and leagues against others in the community. The game includes single player challenges and multiplayer match ups to test precision and timing.

‘F-Zero 99’ (2023)

This racing game transforms the classic high speed franchise into a battle royale format for ninety nine players. Racers must manage their power meter which serves as both a health bar and a speed boost. Crashing into walls or other vehicles depletes energy and can lead to elimination from the race. The game features iconic tracks and music from the original Super Nintendo release.

‘Super Animal Royale’ (2021)

This top down battle royale game features sixty adorable animals fighting for survival in a derelict safari park. Players collect weapons and armor while exploring different biomes like forests and tundras. The game uses a line of sight fog of war mechanic that makes tactical movement essential for winning. Users can customize their animal characters with hundreds of cosmetic items earned through play.

‘Omega Strikers’ (2023)

This competitive game features three versus three matches where players attempt to knock a puck into the enemy goal. Each character has a unique set of abilities used to manipulate the puck or harass opponents. Teams must work together to control the field and protect their own goal from incoming shots. The fast matches and vibrant art style create a high energy competitive environment.

‘Super Kirby Clash’ (2019)

Players choose from four unique roles to take down massive bosses in this cooperative action game. Up to four friends can play together locally or online to complete various quests and earn experience. Defeating enemies provides materials that can be used to craft stronger weapons and armor. The game encourages team synergy to overcome the increasingly difficult challenges found in the late game.

‘Pac-Man 99’ (2021)

This battle royale takes the classic maze gameplay and applies it to a competitive ninety nine player format. Players eat ghosts to send Jammer Pac Men to their opponents to slow them down. Maneuvering through the maze requires quick reflexes and strategic use of power pellets. The game features different play styles that allow users to prioritize speed or offensive power.

‘Fallout Shelter’ (2018)

Users act as the Overseer of an underground Vault in a post apocalyptic wasteland. The goal is to build and manage a thriving community by providing food and water and power to the inhabitants. Players can send dwellers into the wasteland to scavenge for supplies and fight off dangerous raiders. Managing the happiness and skills of each dweller is essential for the long term survival of the facility

‘Pokémon UNITE’ (2021)

This team based strategic game features five versus five matches where players control different pocket monsters. Teams earn points by defeating wild creatures and opponents and then depositing energy into the goals of the enemy. Characters evolve and learn new moves throughout the match to become more powerful. Strategic coordination and control of the map are the primary keys to achieving victory.

‘Brawlhalla’ (2018)

This platform fighter features a massive roster of legends who compete to knock each other off the stage. The game supports up to eight players in a single match and offers various modes including ranked play and casual brawls. Each character can use two different weapon types that change their move sets during the fight. Frequent updates introduce new legends and crossover characters from other famous franchises.

‘Rogue Company’ (2020)

This third person tactical shooter follows teams of mercenaries as they complete various objective based missions. Players earn money during rounds to purchase and upgrade weapons and gadgets and perks. Each character brings unique skills to the team that can turn the tide of a firefight. The game emphasizes communication and precision to eliminate the opposing squad.

‘Paladins’ (2018)

This hero shooter allows players to customize their play style using a unique card based loadout system. Teams of five compete in objective based matches where they must capture points and escort payloads. Each character belongs to a specific class such as frontline or support to ensure balanced team compositions. The game receives frequent updates that introduce new heroes and maps and cosmetic items.

‘Disney Speedstorm’ (2023)

This hero based combat racing game features iconic characters from various Disney and Pixar films. Each racer has unique skills that can be used to gain an advantage on the track or hinder opponents. The tracks are themed after famous movie locations and feature dynamic obstacles and hazards. Players can upgrade their characters and customize their karts through regular play and seasonal events.

‘Dauntless’ (2019)

Players take on the role of Slayers who hunt massive creatures known as Behemoths in a shattered world. The game focuses on cooperative action where teams must learn the attack patterns of their targets to succeed. Crafting powerful armor and weapons from the parts of defeated monsters is a core part of the experience. The game supports full cross play allowing friends to hunt together regardless of their hardware.

‘Overwatch 2’ (2022)

This team based shooter features a large roster of heroes with distinct roles including tanks and damage and healers. Players work together in five versus five matches to complete various objectives like capturing points or pushing payloads. The game emphasizes team synergy and the strategic use of powerful ultimate abilities. Regular updates introduce new characters and maps to the competitive landscape.

‘Roller Champions’ (2022)

This three versus three sports game features players skating around an arena to gain speed and score goals. Teams must maintain possession of the ball for several laps to increase the point value of their next shot. Physical tackles and team moves are used to take the ball from opponents and defend the goal. Success leads to more fans and larger arenas as players climb the ranks of fame.

‘The Elder Scrolls: Blades’ (2020)

Users take on the role of a member of the Blades who must rebuild their destroyed town after returning from exile. The game features first person dungeon crawling with touch or motion controlled combat. Players can customize their town with different buildings and decorations to unlock new quests and crafting options. Competitive players can also enter the arena to battle others in one on one combat.

Which of these free to play titles has kept you busy for the most hours on your console? Share your thoughts in the comments.